photo credit: Allison Morgan

***

On March 4, Forty Below Records will release the new studio album from Sugaray Rayford. In Too Deep is the follow-up to Somebody Save Me, which received a 2020 Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album. In 2020 Rayford was honored as B.B. King Entertainer of the Year and Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year at the 41st Blues Music Swards (he also was named Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year in 2019).

Rayford is a dynamic live performer, whose studio recordings blend classic blues and soul sensibilities, while also referencing modern-day sounds. The songs on In Too Deep explore themes of civil rights and social justice.

Today we premiere “Please Take My Hand” from In Too Deep, which is currently available for pre-order. Here Rayford gives voice to people who have faced struggles with oppression. He tells Relix, “This song is about unity regardless of color religion race or creed. We all live on the same planet so we are all brothers and sisters. Please take my hand.”